“I’ve cherished all of my time with USA Basketball since I was 20,” said Whalen. “This was a very tough decision, but I feel like it’s time in my career to step aside and give another young player the opportunity.

Different people have different needs, which shouldn’t be established by anyone other than themselves.

Since USA basketball doesn't have the balls to let the aged move on gracefully, it's left to the players to do the right thing. Whalen did the right thing.

Tbh if Bird and Taurasi would retire right now aswell and this team would be lead by Diggins and Gray then i could see them having a 2006 slipup in the semi's or finals

_________________"Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson were and are the dynamic duo. They're the one-two punch. They're all the clich�s possible to describe people that perfectly complement each other, who make each other better and also bring out the best in the team." �Karen Bryant

Different people have different needs, which shouldn’t be established by anyone other than themselves.

Since USA basketball doesn't have the balls to let the aged move on gracefully, it's left to the players to do the right thing. Whalen did the right thing.

Tbh if Bird and Taurasi would retire right now aswell and this lead would be lead by Diggins and Gray then i could see them having a 2006 slipup in the semi's or finals

Whalen could have played in Worlds, but she couldn’t see herself making it to the 2020 Olympics. So she figured she’d give a newer player the opportunity in the less important Worlds so they’d be better prepared for 2020.

_________________Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

Different people have different needs, which shouldn’t be established by anyone other than themselves.

Since USA basketball doesn't have the balls to let the aged move on gracefully, it's left to the players to do the right thing. Whalen did the right thing.

Tbh if Bird and Taurasi would retire right now aswell and this team would be lead by Diggins and Gray then i could see them having a 2006 slipup in the semi's or finals

There are a ton of players to "lead" the team that would not require newbies to assume the role.

Losing DT, Bird, and Augustus for younger, better players would only make the team less likely to have a "slipup".

You underestimate the role of true PG's and how their leadership can effect a team. Who is going to lead this team? Maya? Charles?

_________________"Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson were and are the dynamic duo. They're the one-two punch. They're all the clich�s possible to describe people that perfectly complement each other, who make each other better and also bring out the best in the team." �Karen Bryant

You underestimate the role of true PG's and how their leadership can effect a team. Who is going to lead this team? Maya? Charles?

You underestimate the leadership ability of some of the younger PGs

I am? Sims and Gray are not even (the vocal) leaders of their own teams let alone lead a team full of players who are better then them and have more weight on the team and league. Only player that has experience of leading her team is Diggins and this would be her first time with USA in a big tournament and i first have to see how the team will respond to her before thinking that all goes well

_________________"Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson were and are the dynamic duo. They're the one-two punch. They're all the clich�s possible to describe people that perfectly complement each other, who make each other better and also bring out the best in the team." �Karen Bryant

You underestimate the role of true PG's and how their leadership can effect a team. Who is going to lead this team? Maya? Charles?

You underestimate the leadership ability of some of the younger PGs

I am? Sims and Gray are not even (the vocal) leaders of their own teams let alone lead a team full of players who are better then them and have more weight on the team and league. Only player that has experience of leading her team is Diggins and this would be her first time with USA in a big tournament and i first have to see how the team will respond to her before thinking that all goes well

The PG needs to be an on the floor leader as far as keeping play moving smoothly, but there is no need for them to be the "vocal leader" of the team as long as another player fills that role. And with players like Nneka and Maya on the team, it will be well served in that area.